2/13/11 - So Scioscia Is For Real -
Every year, Bill James and Baseball Info Solutions calculates a team's Efficiency Wins, or the number of wins a team should tally based on their runs scored, runs allowed, and the components of runs scored and allowed. For each of the past three seasons, the Angels have outperformed their Efficiency Win total by more than any other American League team. A +9 mark last season followed a +7 mark in 2009 and a +14 mark in 2008. It has gotten to the point where you can't just dismiss the Angels as a team blessed with good fortune. Mike Scioscia is doing something to get the most out of his team and proving it as a repeatable skill to the tune of ten wins per season.

Franchise History

In the Big Inning - The Los Angeles Angels were founded in 1961, one of the first two AL expansion teams. The Angels shared Los Angeles with the recently relocated Dodgers and played in Dodger Stadium from 1962-1965.

You know, we might make more money if - Toward the end of the 1965 season, the Los Angeles Angels changed their name to the California Angels in an effort to broaden their fan-base, and the following spring moved into Anaheim Stadium.

Actually, you know we might make more money if - Following the 1996 season, the California Angels decided to centralize and strengthen their fan base by changing their name to the Anaheim Angels, in honor of their rapidly growing home town.

Hmm, what if we just - Apparently unsatisfied with being merely the third highest grossing team in the majors, in 2005 the Anaheim Angels re-adopted their origin moniker in order to appeal the second largest media market in the country, much to the chagrin of both the cities of Anaheim and Los Angeles. In order to appease the politicians in their hometown, they affixed the words "of Anaheim" to the end of their name.

Best Trade in Team History - In 1971, the Angels sent Jim Fregosi to the Mets in exchange for Frank Estrada, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton, and Nolan Ryan. Fregosi never played more than 101 games again, while Nolan Ryan went on to have his best seasons with the Angels.

Worst Trade in Team History - Right before the start of the 2000 season, the Angels sent Jim Edmonds to the St. Louis Cardinals for Kent Bottenfield and Adam Kennedy. Jim Edmonds won six straight Gold Gloves from 2000-2005 with the Cardinals, and hit 210 home runs in six seasons. While Kennedy has been a cornerstone of the Angels infield, Bottenfield had a losing record in the only season he spent with the Angels.

2009 Angels Preview2009 may be the season that the Angels finally morph from a smartly run, well developed team that spends money wisely to an over-spending, aging, bloated team suffocated from the weight of large contracts producing no value.

2008 Angels PreviewIf the Angels wanted things to get interesting in the AL West, recent injuries have made them happy.

2007 Angels PreviewDespite the boneheaded signings of Gary Matthews Jr. and Shea Hillenbrand, the Angels should run away with the AL West.

2006 Angels PreviewThe Angels had a poor offseason and could even fall below .500 battling in an improved AL West division.

The Irony of Bartolo ColonMuch to Asher's chagrin, Bartolo Colon won the 2005 AL Cy Young after Asher didn't pick him to win it for the first time since 2002. However, there is irony in the selection of Colon this year, which Asher expounds on.

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